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Host Interview: Hakeem’s Book of Everything

November 5, 2026 · 1 h 4 min

Show notes

Hakeem Oluseyi, astrophysicist and host of Particles of Thought, takes the hot seat as NOVA Remix host and Senior Producer Caitlin Saks interviews him about his new book, Why Do We Exist? The Nine Realms of the Universe That Make You Possible. Hakeem tells his personal story of being a poor kid from the deep South who found Einstein in an encyclopedia and ended up at Stanford. Then he walks through the book's nine realms, argues that Pluto and the Moon are planets, estimates life in our galaxy, explains time and the pre-Big Bang universe, and shares why energy and imagination are humanity's best bets.

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Guest Bio:
Hakeem Oluseyi is host of Particles of Thought, an astrophysicist, author, STEM educator, multi-patented inventor, science journalist, TV personality, science communicator, and inspirational speaker. His research is based on “hacking stars” to understand our universe better and develop innovative new technologies. Oluseyi’s work has resulted in 11 patents and more than 100 publications covering contributions to astrophysics, cosmology, and plasma physics and the development of space missions, observatories, focal plane instruments, detectors, semiconductor manufacturing, and ion propulsion.

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